That's actually one thing we agree on. It has to stop NOW!

We are overstaffed on the widebodies so to save money with a furlough they still need to run a fairly large displacement bid. If they did that this month, they still wouldn't have the bodies where they need them until the end of 2009. I'm betting we won't see any furloughs in 2009 and if we do see them in 2010 it won't be until the fall.

I actually think alot of DAL-N guys will take this deal. It gives the senior guys that are close to 60 about $140,000 and the ability to bridge to 62 so they can get medicare. That and they still have a pension. There is also no limit on how many can take this deal so however many fill out the paperwork will be retired by the end of the year. There were already about 10 DAL-N guys leaving per month anyways and this deal will probably change the minds of about half of the other DAL-N guys. You might get a dozen DAL-S guys to take the bait. I'm guessing about 300 take the deal which should be enough to offset the surplus that we'll have after the 747-200 gets parked.

RockyBoy, you may be on to something. Your synopsis is the exact group I expected them to target... Carl S. or any of the senior N guys- what does this look like to ya'll?

I expect there to be a bare bare minimum of S guys to take it with our current retirement system.

Prip
 

Regarding the Delta Pilot Retirement Incentive Program is the sum of the incentive 6/9 mos of 75 hr pay and 3 months paid up coverage of retiree or COBRA medical/dental/vision? Not that I'm eligible, but I'm a bit underwhelmed. I'll be surprised if more than 10 pilots out of the 60 or so who are scheduled to retire in the next four years (Delta-S) bite. Is this just to check the box on "We tried everything we could to prevent a furlough"? What other options will corporate explore next--a call for volunteer leave of absence? Is that rumor of possible hiring next spring/summer now officially dead?

Hopelessly optimistic. My guess is that no more than 100 on both sides take this, and probably no more than 50.

Nu

I agree NuGuy.... I think it's targeted at the north, but I seriously doubt many are going to take it.... not much of an incentive.

I would expect the numbers and the subsequent "Target Number" from VA Ave is around 150 to 200 guys. That is the Maximum number being thrown around that might take this early offer based on preliminary projections and actuarial assesment.

"At least that is what a little bird told me....;)"

No furloughs are currently planned. The early retirement program was never conceived as a anti furlough program. It was offered by the company to minimize training impacts as a break even program. The company offered to put up the same amount of money as they expect to save in training costs. This is why the program is not offering much. It is still quite possible they will hire some pilots in the Spring of 10.

The only thing that would worry me is if they (company and MEC) decided to combine Compass right now. That would mean that they could furlough 400 DAL guys and gals, as well as the CPS guys fairly quickly. (:) )
This PERP program is just designed to save on training costs.
That is why it is not a huge incentive to leave.